Chaitén

Chaitén is a city in the south of the South American Andean country Chile. It is situated in the Región de los Lagos (Region X). Chaitén had around 3,300 inhabitants (2003 ) and is the capital of Palena Province.

Geography

The city lies on the Gulf of Corcovado, about 100 km east of Chiloé, the second largest island in Chile, and 200 km south of Puerto Montt. Due to the city is the famous highway Carretera Austral.

In the vicinity of Chaitén are several volcanoes, northeast of Michinmahuida, south of the Corcovado and in the immediate vicinity of the Chaitén. On 2 May 2008 the volcano Chaitén erupted and threatened with the same name, which was evacuated then.

History

On November 4, 1885, the area around Chaitén was first registered country legally. 1933 Chaitén was only about 30 wooden houses. It was not until 1938, a ferry service was established, the city began to grow. With the Carretera Austral then began the proper development of the town.

Economy

Chaitén is a small harbor town with a small airport. She lives mainly from tourism, fishing and through traffic the Carretera Austral.

Tourism

Visitors can translate from Chaitén by ferry to the island of Chiloé and the port cities of Castro and Quellón.

60 km north of the city of natural Parque Pumalin, with around 2,700 km ² and its vast forest areas. The park can be reached in summer by ferry from Hornopirén by ' Caleta Gonzalo '. From Chaitén, one can place the ' Caleta Gonzalo ' reach by road. After 2008, the road from Chaitén to Caleta Gonzalo, however, was closed due to the eruption of Chaitén volcano, but is now again easily passable. 10 km north of Chaitén is in St. Barbara, a provisional Aerodrome for small aircraft into operation in the summer there are daily flights to and from Puerto Montt.

To the east of Chaitén volcano is the Michinmahuida with 2404 m height. Southeast of the city are the thermal springs Termas El Amarillo

Development from 2008

As a result of the outbreak of the adjacent volcano of the same name in 2008, large parts of the city were inundated by a lahar on 12 May. The current flowing through the river town of Rio Blanco made ​​his then a new bed, which brought more destruction with it. Given the destruction and ongoing volcanic activity, the government in 2009 had the task of urban and building a new Chaitén on the coast 10 km further decided in the north. Meanwhile Chaitén has been rebuilt but the original location partly. Around 700 residents have so far returned. The infrastructure works again, there are hotels, guest houses and shops, a temporary " health station " and since December 2011 again a bank branch.